Cluster-Set vs. Traditional-Set Plyometric Loading in Tennis Players (TENNIS_CLS-TRD)

June 5, 2026 updated by: Ramiz ARABACI, Uludag University

Acute Effects of Cluster-Set vs. Traditional-Set Plyometric Loading on Countermovement Jump and Reactive Strength Index in Young Tennis Players

The present study aimed to compare the acute effects of cluster-set (CS) and traditional-set (TS) plyometric loading protocols on countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and reactive strength index (RSI-mod) in young tennis players.

Twenty-eight male tennis players (age: 16.7 ± 1.3 years) were randomly assigned to either a CS or TS group. Following a familiarization session, participants completed an experimental session including pre-tests (CMJ and drop jump), a plyometric loading protocol (CS: 3 × [5 × 2 repetitions, 15 s intra-set rest, 2 min between sets]; TS: 3 × 10 repetitions, 3 min between sets), and post-tests at 15 s, 3 min, and 6 min. CMJ height and RSI-mod were assessed using the My Jump 2 application. Borg Scale, Total Quality Recovery (TQR) were apply after post-tests at 15 s, 3 min, and 6 min.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The present study aimed to compare the acute effects of cluster-set (CS) and traditional-set (TS) plyometric loading protocols on countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and reactive strength index (RSI-mod) in young tennis players. It was hypothesized that the CS method would elicit superior acute improvements in jump parameters and recovery due to reduced fatigue compared to the TS method. A total of 28 male adolescent tennis players, aged 13-17 years, voluntarily participated. Volunteers were randomly allocated into two experimental groups: Cluster Set Group (CS) and Traditional Set Group (TS). ). Participants were eligible if they met the following criteria.

i. Engaged in tennis training for ≥2 years, with a frequency of ≥3 sessions/week and participation in ≥4 tournaments annually.

ii. Had ≥6 months of experience with resistance and plyometric training. iii. No history of lower extremity muscle or joint injuries within the last three months.

iv. No regular use of drugs or stimulants for at least six months prior to the study.

The study consisted of two sessions: a familiarization session and an experimental session involving either the Cluster Set (CS) or Traditional Set (TS) protocol. Participants refrained from any exhaustive exercise for at least 48 hours prior to the familiarization session, and a 48-hour passive recovery period was observed between sessions. During the familiarization session, anthropometric measurements (height, body mass, body fat %) were recorded, and participants completed the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+). Following this, subjects performed a standardized warm-up and familiarization with the testing procedures. The experimental session included the following sequence: (i) Pre-test measurements: Countermovement Jump (CMJ) and Drop Jump (DJ), (ii) execution of either CS or TS plyometric protocol, (iii) immediate Post-15s): CMJ and DJ, (iv) passive recovery (3 min) followed by CMJ and DJ, and assessment using the Total Recovery Quality Scale (TQR), (v) additional passive recovery (3 m) followed by CMJ and DJ and TQR, (vi) final post-test (6 min): CMJ and DJ. Total workout 7 minutes and passive rest 6 minutes (Table 2). Participants were instructed to sleep at least 8 hours the night before testing. Maintain a normal diet and avoid medications, stimulants, ergogenic aids, or performance-enhancing substances. Before testing, all participants completed a 10-minute standardized warm-up, consisting of jogging, galloping, multidirectional running and jumping, calisthenic exercises for joint mobility, static and dynamic stretching. The procedure of the study is shown in Figure 1. All interventions were conducted between 15:00 and 17:00 in a synthetic-floored gym under controlled conditions (temperature: 18-24°C; humidity: 40-60%). Two Way ANOVA repeated measures analysis of variance, 2 groups (CS and TS) x 4 time (Pre, Post-15s; Post-3m and Post-6m) test was performed to compare the data and determine the differences. Bonferroni test was used for pairwise time and group comparisons.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

28

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
      • Bursa, Turkey (Türkiye), 16059
        • Bursa uludag University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Engaged in tennis training for ≥2 years, with a frequency of ≥3 sessions/week and participation in ≥4 tournaments annually.
  • Had ≥6 months of experience with resistance and plyometric training.
  • No history of lower extremity muscle or joint injuries within the last three months.
  • No regular use of drugs or stimulants for at least six months prior to the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

-

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Cluster Set Plyometric Loading
Cluster set: plyometric jumping 3 set , each set consist of 2 repetition x 5.
Other: Cluster Set
Cluster Set: Vertical Jumping 3 set, 2 minute rest/set, in 1 set 5 x 2 repetition, 15 sec rest after each 2 repetition.
Active Comparator: Traditional Set Plyometric Loading
Traditional set: pluometric jumping 3 set, each set consist of 10 repetition.
Other: Traditional Set
Traditional set: Vertical jumping 3 set, 3 minute rest / set, in 1 set 10 repetition/set

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Vertical Jump
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 15 days
The counter movement jump (CMJ) test was used to determine vertical jump height. CMJ is widely used to monitor neuromuscular status (i.e. fatigue, performance, strength, and muscle overcompensation) from the analysis of bilateral mechanics and the ability to generate and the ability to generate and absorb ground reaction forces by the lower extremity. The My Jump 2 (Copyright©Carlos Balsalobre Fernández) application of the My Jump Lab tools, based on artificial intelligence (AI) used to measure CMJ. An iPad Pro 11-inch Model Air M2 (Apple Inc. Cupertino, CA) used to capture each trial.
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 15 days
Vertical Jump
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 15 days
The counter movement jump (CMJ) test was used to determine vertical jump high. The My Jump 2 (Copyright©Carlos Balsalobre Fernández) application of the My Jump Lab tools, based on artificial intelligence (AI) used to measure CMJ. An iPad Pro 11-inch Model Air M2 (Apple Inc. Cupertino, CA) used to capture each trial.
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 15 days
Reactive Strength Index (RSI-mod)
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 15 days
The Drop Jump (DJ) test was used to determine the RSI-mod. The DJ can be used to determine the intensity of plyometric exercises, measure lower body reactive strength, monitor neuromuscular fatigue and test lower extremity stiffness. The DJ is a frequently analyzed metric for determining the RSI. It assesses an athlete's ability to rapidly transition from eccentric to concentric contraction and how much force the athlete can produce in the shortest possible time. There are multiple calculations available to measure the RSI-mod, but the most used is jump height (meters) ÷ ground contact time (seconds). Participants were asked to perform the DJ test by dropping to the ground from a 40 cm frame height with their hands on their hips and jumping upwards with maximal effort in the shortest time. Vertical jump distance and RSI were determined using the My Jump 2 app.
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 15 days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Body composition
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 15 days
Participants' body weight and body fat percentage were assessed using a Tanita BC-418 bioelectrical impedance analyzer (Tanita Corp., Tokyo, Japan). Height was measured with a Seca stadiometer (Seca Instruments Ltd., Hamburg, Germany).
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 15 days
Recovery
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 15 days
Recovery perception was evaluated using the Turkish version of the Total Quality Recovery (TQR) scale. This scale ranges from 6 points ("very poor recovery") to 20 points ("very good recovery"). Participants completed the TQR at the end of each 3-minute passive rest period following Post-15s and Post-3m jump tests.
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 15 days

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Uludag University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Ramiz ARABACI, Prof.Dr., Bursa uludag University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 15, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

March 30, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

April 15, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 2, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 5, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 11, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 5, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Date10.01.2025, Approval No460

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

All IPD collected throughout the trial, only IPD used in the results publication.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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